Chapter Four: Making Noodles

Chang Yuan was distantly polite as he unhurriedly delivered his speech. After he was done, he made an "after you" gesture to Yun Nan.

Yun Nan left the Yun family's house with Chang Yuan without a single glance towards the Yun family members. Behind her, she could hear Yun Liu screaming and crying, "Mom! Mommy! I don't wanna live anymore! Just let me die!"

Yun Nan sneered. Yun Liu was quite energetic despite her claims of being disappointed in life—kicking up a fuss and howling for death; these aren't the actions of someone who truly wanted to die. She just wanted to coerce others to do as she wished.

When they left the Yun family residence, Yun Nan courteously thanked Chang Yuan and said, "Assistant Chang, there's no need to cater to me. You can get back to your work; I'll drive there myself."

Chang Yuan recalled Shi Nian's orders and didn't force the issue. He gave his contact details to Yun Nan and informed her before he left, "Young Master said that I will be handling Young Madam's matters in the future, so please come to me if you need anything."

Yun Nan nodded and thought, 'Shi Nian kept his promise. He offered his assistant to help me and this way, our relationship can remain professional and detached.'

Shi Nian's residence was located in the most prosperous area within the city center, not far from the Shi Corporation's office building. Evidently, he chose to move there—instead of living together with his family in a luxury villa in the wealthy district of South City—for the convenience of getting to and from work.

However, this residential area wasn't something the average person could afford. When the security guard let Yun Nan drive in after reading her license plate, she knew Chang Yuan had already checked her in as a resident. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to enter; the security level of the residential area was probably comparable to that of a head of state.

Shi Nian lived in a super penthouse with an elevator that had direct access to it. It had two floors; the living room, dining room, and study were on the bottom floor, while the bedroom was upstairs.

Yun Nan stood at the penthouse entrance, staring at the interior in a daze. With such a large space, she probably didn't even need to go out for her morning jog; she could achieve the same amount of exercise just by doing laps around the living room.

The decor was in cool tones of black, white, and gray with an ascetic minimalist design, which was very in line with Shi Nian's temperament. The large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire downtown area perfectly.

If she thought the lower floor was spacious, then the open area upstairs was excessive.

Shi Nian had removed the inner walls of the entire floor to form one huge bedroom. However, there were no decorations or furniture aside from a huge bed, making the room seem even more cavernous.

When Yun Nan was young, her adoptive parents were very poor. The whole family squeezed into the small bed that her father built. Her wish back then was to have a big, big bed!

She didn't expect that Shi Nian would share her dream and even made it come true!

'The wealthy certainly indulge in childish whims.'

Yun Nan proceeded to sort out her luggage; having obtained Shi Nian's consent, she hung her clothes in the closet. Feeling a little hungry, she went downstairs to take a look around the kitchen.

The kitchen of the wealthy elite was pristine and clean as new, but the refrigerator was well-stocked—though she could see no leafy greens.

Looking at the ingredients available, Yun Nan decided to have something simple and deftly made a bowl of egg noodles. Just as the noodles were done, the sound of an elevator coming up could be heard from the entrance.

Shi Nian could smell the aroma of food the moment he stepped out of the elevator and paused in surprise. Then, he recalled the day's events—he had a new housemate.

Yun Nan placed a bowl of noodles on the dining table. When she looked up, she saw Shi Nian and smoothly greeted him, "You're back! Would you like some noodles?"

Shi Nian was busy changing out of his shoes when his mouth reacted faster than his brain and he heard himself reply, "Sure."

After saying that, he was stunned by his own actions.

Yun Nan went into the kitchen and returned with a pair of chopsticks. When Shi Nian sat down at the table, he realized that the bowl of noodles was meant for Yun Nan herself.

Before he could say anything, Yun Nan beat him to the punch and said, "Feel free to have that bowl of noodles. Mine will be ready soon."

Shi Nian was at a loss for words. She acted so natural and collected around the penthouse like it wasn't her first day here; it was as if she had lived here for her entire life.

The aroma of the noodles was tantalizing; Shi Nian took a deep breath and picked up his chopsticks. What's done is done, he had to get used to having her around as soon as possible.

The noodles were chewy and smooth. Shi Nian was once again surprised; they were quite delicious. He couldn't help but take a second bite.

When Yun Nan's noodles were done, Shi Nian had already eaten more than half of his. Yun Nan began to eat and—mouth full of noodles—she mumbled, "Thank you for asking Assistant Chang to pick me up."

Shi Nian already heard what happened in the Yun family from Chang Yuan, so he accepted it with a "Hm."

Yun Nan was a fast eater. Despite her speed of consumption, she still observed her table manners but she was indeed unpretentious and a little unrefined; very much unlike other girls he'd met.

They could still be considered strangers, but Yun Nan wasn't shy at all. Shi Nian had encountered many young girls who acted like perfect ladies with topnotch etiquette before him—but he found their interactions so fake he might as well be talking to marionettes. 

Aside from his mother and younger sister, this was the first time he had seen a woman as true to herself as Yun Nan. He found himself inexorably captivated by her every movement.

Yun Nan put away the dishes and neatly cleaned up the kitchen. Shi Nian was secretly impressed; he'd never met a woman like her.

'Looks like I don't need house cleaning services any longer in the future with her around. She knows how to cook and clean!'

He had someone look into her; not only was she the real daughter of the Yun family, but she was also an up-and-coming director. Moreover, she was recommended for admission to a university at the age of fourteen where she was a brilliant student and a lauded genius.

And this gem of a girl can also make noodles, wash dishes, and clean. To Shi Nian's knowledge, his mother, sister and his other female relatives lived pampered lives and never lifted a finger around the house.